Multiple ironing machine



June 12, 1951 Filed May 1, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 12, 1951 J, LEE-F 2,556,477

MULTIPLE IRONING MACHINE Filed May 1, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 z if jZae/zzw 170/222 E Leaf .5? MAZZZW I A June 12, 1951 J. H. LEEF MULTIPLE moumc MACHINE Filed May 1, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 jzamr 2; MAZw/ J MW Patented June 12, 1951 UNITED 1S liTATirEGS T OFFICE Application May 1,

x4ifilaims. 1 My :invention relates to -garment ironers rand, =more -.spec-ifically, to improvements in mounting :a plurality of ironers-in a-circle or cluster so they may be tended by one or-moreoperator-s with-but a niinimum of waste time =-and effort.

-.'Garment ironers: generally include --a='relatively fixed pressing --shoe and a relatively movable pressing shoe-wh-ichare conventionally -manually separated i forthe insertion" ofgarments'therebe- -tween and the 1 removal of garments therefrom and are manually brought into pressingengagement and locked therein. 4 The: primary object of myinvention is-"the pro- -vision of a "device wherein a plurality'of such normally manually-operated ironers are mountedon -an en'd-lessitrack fonmovements to and from an operator s station, I and -means forautomatically operatin the mechanism to move said shoes apart and outof'and into pressing engagement at timed intervals adjacent the -operatoris-star tion.

( Another 1 object of my invention is the Y provision of; means whereby the automatic-mechanism 1 for bringing'the pressing-shoes. into pressing en- :gagement "may be rendered inoperative during movements of the ironers on saidtrack.

-A still furtherobiect of my'in-vention is the provision of-means forsuccessivelyoperating 'the mechanisms of the several ironers to-bri-n'gthe shoes of said several ironers into arid-locking the same-in pressing engagement when said ironers are: moving in adirectionaway from theoperators statiom and means adjacent the operators station l for successively unlocking and releasing ssaid shoes from pressing engagement-whensaid ironers are :approaching the operator s station. eAzstillifurtheriobject of my invention- -is -the :provisionsof a .device of the classdescribeda-and eoperatinglmechanism therefor which' is relatively inexpensive to produce, rugged in construction, and durable inuse.

Other, novel features of the machine-"disclosed hereinare, .disclosed and claimed in co-pending uapplicationsias follows:.-A. My co-pending-a'pplication, Serial Number, 144,341, filed Februar-y315, 1950, as La continuationein-part of this. application; and, -B. lVIy co -:pending application, .Serial .-Number 144,343, filejdiFebruaryl.15,;1950, a'sia' 'dtvision of this application both: applicationsabeing entitled Multiple Ironin zMachine.

The still further objects of, my invent-ionzw-ill become 1 apparent Efrorn :the following ;deta-i-led specification, appended claims, and 'attached drawings.

Referring to the drawingav'whereinzlike. char- 1948,-"Sei-ialNo. 245571 -acters indicatelike' parts throughout -theseveral views:

v F-ig. 1 is a. plan illustratinga groupof ironers mounted on a turntable in accordance with my invention and showing a preferred embodiment -:ofmy invention;

=F-ig. -'2 is an enlarged fragmentary view, -=partly in side elevation and'l'partly in section/takemon tthe linei Z-iZiof Fig. 1;

s-FigzSis an enlarged fragmentaryelevation as :seen from'the line s-+3 of:Fig. 1;

.;Fig. 4 is 2, view corresponding to Fig. 3, but

i sh-owinga different position of some of -the parts :Fig. .15 is :an elevation, partly insect-ion, 'taken l5 \iomthe line': 5: 5ofFig. 3;

Fig. :26 a is "a view-corresponding ito iEig, 5- but :taken"substantially: on -=the line 6-'-6 of Fig- 4;

, Fig. :7 is anenlarged fragmentary view,i taken .substantially on the .line l1 but showing *a (modified form :oflthe invention;

8- is an enlarged fragmentary detail taken .onthelineLB-eBLOL Fig. 7

:iFig. 9iis a fragmentary view, partly in-sec'tion zan'd apartly in side elevation, :taken: on the line 5 919.1of Fig. '7

Fig. 10 isa view corresponding to Figs. 5 and- 6, .ibutiillusti atinga modified form of=-release mechxanism zuseds-in conjunction with the mechanism lof 'Ei'gs.i7,'-i8,c=and-9;

Fig. 11 is i a :fragmentary view, partly -i n secztion rand partly in side elevation, I taken onthe 1ine=ll'l l of Fig. -10;

.Fig. 1221s alview corresponding to Fig. 2, -but ashowing :asstill :further modification of -the in- .vention;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary detail, taken onthe dine :l 3i*i-3 ,ofj'Fig. 1'2;

Figi 14 is .a: fragmentaryidetailzinsection,itaken on'jthe line, I 4- M ofFig.'12;

,Fig. 15 ,isza view :in, plan, takenlsubstantially :ontheline l 5.'I 5 of Fig.1 1-2 gland Fig.516 is a:.diagramof.a fluidpressure system :for. operating the machine of Fig; 1:2.

Referring with ..grea.ter particularity to the fstructureof Figs. 1-76 inclusivegthe numeral ls in- Edicates,1in its entirety, :aturntable comprising-an annular :supportingrplate .'2-.;secured:to:a concentric annularlhub-z3 .by means, of aspluralityeof radial arms 4. ThexplateeZzis reinforcedby conno centric; annular fianges 5 land 1 6,::the1'1atter being i in the :natureof. a-structural angleziiron. (Depend- :ing ,spacedjfianges 'ajform' bearing vbrackets;jourenalling wheels:8 :for rotation uponanrendlesstirdcular tracks).

x iMounteda'fastion the annular supportingsplate shoe II. the linkage and consequent movement of the movable shoe I2 in the direction of the fixed shoe 7 vided with the customary counterweights IB.

Each of the ironers I have identical linkage for moving their respective movable shoes I2 from the full line position of Fig. 2 to the dotted line position thereof and vice versa. For the sake of brevity, but one of the operating linkage units will be described. I

A toggle link I! has its upper end pivoted to the arm I4 intermediate the pivot I5 and the j *counterweighted end I5, as indicated at E3. The

lower end of the toggle link I1 is pivotally connected to a second toggle link I9, as indicated at 2B, which toggle link I9 has its lower end pivoted ."to the base I3, as indicated at 23.

A treadle 22 is pivotally secured to the base I3, as indicated at 23, and projects radially outwardly of the base I3 and turntable I through a slot 24 in the base IS. A generally vertically-disposed link 25 has r its lower end pivoted to the intermediate portion projected end coupled to the intermediate portion of the toggle link I!) by means of a relatively short link 3! which is connected to the radially-inner end of the lever arm 2? as at 32.

It will be obvious, by reference to Fig. 2, that downward movement of the treadle 22 will cause movement of the movable shoe I2 in the direction of the relatively fixed shoe II, as indicated by full line. Conversely, upward movement of the treadle 22 will cause movements of the movable shoe I2 in a direction away from the stationary shoe II, as indicated by dotted line in Fig. 2. A coil tension spring 33 has one end secured to the vertical link 25 and its opposite end anchored to the base I3, whereby to bias the treadle in an upward direction to move the shoe I2 in a direction away from the relatively fixed A stop screw 34 limits movement of The several ironers are provided with means for locking the treadles 22 thereof in their depressed positions as best shown in Figs. 3-7 inclusive. On each of the several ironers ID, said means includes a laterally-projecting pin 35 adjacent the outer end of the treadle 22 adapted to have sliding engagement with an arm 36 pivoted at its lower end to a bracket 31 secured to the radially outer surface of the base I3. The arm 36 is yieldingly biased in the direction of the pin 35 by means of a coil compression spring 38 and is provided with an ofiset portion intermediate its ends which forms a recess 39 in which the pin 35 is seated when the treadle 22 is in its extreme depressed position as shown in Fig. 5. A release pedal is pivotally secured to the base I3, as indicated at 4|, and extends radially outwardly of the turntable I at one side of the treadle 22 and parallel thereto. A bell crank 42 has its 4 intermediate portion pivotally secured to the re lease lever 46, as indicated at 43, and has one of its arms 44 held against vertical swinging movements by means of a rigid link 45 secured thereto and to the base I3, as indicated at 46 (see particularly Figs. 2, 5, and 6). The other arm 41 of the bell crank 42 extends generally upwardly and is adapted to engage a laterally-projecting lug 45 on the arm 36. Downward movement of the release pedal or lever 46 causes the arm 47 to swing radially inwardly with respect to the turntable and consequent movement in a direction radially inwardly of the turntable of the arm 36,;against-bias of the spring 38, as best shown in Figs. 5 and 6. This inward movement of the arm 36' releases the laterally-projecting pin 35 from the recess 39 and allows bias of the tension spring 33 to move the treadle 22 in an upward -1 direction and consequent movement of the relathe relatively fixed shoe I I.

tively movable shoe I2 in a direction away from A coil tension spring 49 has one end anchored to the release pedal 40 and its other end to the base I3, whereby to bias the release pedal 40 in an upward direction.

-movable shoes I2.

I provide an inlet pipe 58, the lower end of which is rotatively connected to the upper portion of a steam manifold 5I through a packing gland 52. The upper or input portion 53 of the manifold is divided from the lower or exhaust portion 54 thereof by a partition 55 having therein a central drain orifice 56. A plurality of flexible inlet tubes 53' lead one each from the input chamber 53 of the manifold 5| to one of the The shoes I2 are each provided with flexible drain pipes or tubes 58 that are connected to the lower exhaust portion 54 of the manifold 5 I. The inlet tubes 51 and the drain tubes 58, being flexible in nature, do not interfere with the freedom of movement of the relatively movable shoes I2. Condensate from the shoes I2 passes through the tubes 58 into the exhaust chamber 54 from whence it is removed from a drain pipe 59 through a packing gland 6D.

. It will be seen, particularly by reference to Figs.

1 and 2, that the manifold 5| overlies and is concentric with the hub 3 of the turntable i and that the flexible tubes 57 and 58 radiate outwardly from the manifold 5! to their respective shoes I2.

Continuous and. uninterrupted rotary movement is imparted to the turntable I by a motor BI (see. Fig. 1) which drives a shaft 62 through is pivoted to a stationary quadrant 69. Pin and socket connections if! of conventional design are utilized to maintain the idler 61 in a position to tighten the link chain 65. Obviously, moving the bell crank 58 in a counter-clockwise direction with respect to Fig. 1, will loosen the link chain 25 in the channel 66. This arrangement prov vides an inexpensive but very satisfactory drive for the turntable I. It will be observed that the .turntable I rotates in a clockwise direction with respect to and as shown by arrows in Fig. 1.

I provide means adjacent the periphery of the turntable I and to one side of an operators sta tion a: for automatically and successively depressz sisegrw ing'the sever'al treadles "2 2-"upo'n -rotatiorr f the turhtable'l. "The pedal-depressing means is in thenature-"of -an-elongatedarcua-tecam element H which lies in the path of travel of the radially "outer ends of the several treadles 22 and is adapted toenga'ge a roller I2 pivotally'secu-red to'a-bracketl3 fast on theouter end'ofeach treadIe ZZ-(see particularly Figs. 1 and 2). *The cam element? I is supported on -a basemember 14 which-is'pivot'a'lly mounted atoneend as at I5 to the floor or other-supporting structure. "The opposite- 'end of the base member 14 is "'slidably confined within "an arcuate guideway" 16. "The camll and basemembe1-'-M"may be swung" about the axis l5fromthefull line treadle-intercepting position shown iriFig. 1 to the dotted line position thereof wherein the cam' is-dispose'd out of the path of travel of the" several treadles 22, thereby rendering cam "II "inoperative. 'A suita'ble lock meanssuch as a pin IT-maybe insertedthrou'gh "openings 7 B'ateither-end of the arcuate-"guideway 'lfi, whereby to maintain the cam H in either of its extreme positions.

-As each treadle'22 is depressed by the-cam'II,

the projecting-pins 35-of the treadles'--Z2move 1? downwardly with respect 'to the arms 36 and become seated in the'recess-39- thereof under bias of the spring 38"against the upper 'end' ofthe arm 35, as clearly shown in Fig.5.

I provide means fora-utomatic'ally and successively-releasing said treadles-22 from their depressedpositions, whereby to move therelatively movableshoes away from the relatively 'stationary shoes II, said fmeans being located adjacent the outer-"periphery of the turntable I and adjacent the opposite side of the operators stationr from the cam 1 I. An arm 19 is mount- =d fast onone endof a; rock shaft 80 journalled'in a supporting frame 8|. 'The" arm lfi'is'formed with a cam surface 82 ;which normally lies in the path of travel of a-pluralityof cam followers 'in the nature'of rollers 83 'journalled 'in"bearing brackets 84 fast on the underside of the turntable I. The arm 19- is yieldingly' biased toward the path of travel of the rollers 83 by a'coil compression spring or the like 85. A'rigid arm 86 extends generally upwardly from the outeriendpf the shaft 80 to which "it is rigidly secured,"and .atits upper end has pinand'slot' connectionyas indicated-at 8'I with-a relatively short arm 88 faston --the outer'end of a rock shaft 89 journalled in the upper end of the-'suppo'rting 'frame 8|. The rock shafts'--89-and 80 extend generally radially of the turntable I and the radially inner endof rock shaft '89'is piovidedwithatrip"finger"90 "secured fast thereto. Thetrip finger"9ll"overlies the path of travel of the trip lever "or pedal40 upon-rotationof the turntable I. "Therollers 83am in number" equal to the several ironers' I and so spaced with respectthereto 'that each.

a roller will engagethe cam surface BZ ofthe"arm 59 just priorto-the arrival of its cooperating ironer ID at the operators' station Movement of-the roller-83 from "the-right'to'the left' with respect to Figs: 3 and 4-will cause downward mover 'mentof the arms-19 against bias of the spring 85,- and consequent-movement of the arms and 88 from the position shown'iri Figsl 3 and to that shown in'Figs. 4and*6. This movement of the arms 19, 85 and 88"causes'dowriward' movement of the trip finger 90=to an-extent that therelease pedal 40 is engaged 'by -thetrip fingertfl and moved from the position of Fig.5 tdthat of Fig. 6. As hereinbefore' described, downwardmovement emberelease' pedal 40"wi1l" cause the arm 41 1 *6 the bll' crank fli -to engage the lugflll of the '-"pivbtd arm 36 -aind move the arm '36 agai-nst I bias -of thespring-38 --to release the treadle iz. Obviously, continued rotary movement of the tiirntablel w ill bring successive release pedals 40 inte position to be engaged by the trip finger 90. As -w' ill be seen'from Figs. 3" to 6,. inclusive, the trip finger 90 EOVCIHGS the -path-= of travel "of the release pedals 40,- andflis so situa'ted with *resp'ecttdthe radially outer I end of the treadle -'2 2-so thatit overlies the path of trav'el thereof when the treadle' 2'2 is depressed, and underlies thepath oftravel thereofwhen said treadle is in its elevated po'si-tion -ofi igfifi.

ln operation, the "cam I I- and base thereof 14 is "'movedto-the' f-u'll line'position of Fig. 1,-and rotary "motion-isimparted tothe turntable I. -Asea'ch i irone'r I0 passes the operatorsstation :v," agarment to-"beironed' is placed upon the relatively stationary 'shoeII thereof. Whensa'idironer-has --;passe'd -'theoperators station x, the cam' roller *ltpasses under and is-engaged by the camll. "Continued movement of'the turntable I causes the cam "H to depress thetread1e22 untilthe position of 'l ig.-2 to the full line position" thereof to press the garment therebetween. 'At this point; the pin' becomes seated in the recess- 39 of the pivoted arm-36, thereby temporarily-locking the movable element I-Z'in pressingor ironing engagement with the relatively fixed shoe II. Thisoperation is repeatedon each successive *irone'r as it leaves the operators station .r-upon clockwise rotation of the turntable I-with respect to -Fig 1. When each ironer I0 has progressd to a point prior to its reaching the opera-tors stationagain; its cooperating roller -83"wi1l engage the cam Surface BZ of "the-pivoted'armill-"whereby tocause the trip finger 90 to engage and depress the release-lever -40. Ashereinbefore'described, "depressionof the release pedal will allow the treadle 22 to move upwardly; thereby causing the relatively -movable shoe [2 to move away from engagement with the relatively fixed-shoe I l under" bias of the spring 33. -When it is-desired toshut the machine down for any length of time, it -is'necessary' to maintain the several shoes I2 V out or engagement 'withtheir cooperating shoes I I. This'isaccomplished by merelyremoving' the -pin l 1' from one of the apertures 18 in the guideway 16 and moving the cam II to the dotted line position of Fig. 1; where it will be out of the path of travel of the several treadles 22. Rotation of turntable I will "cause thetripfinger 99 to suecessively engage eachrelease pedal &0 whereby tomove the "shoes I2 away from'their cooperatingshoes' I |"until all of the ironers'have. been ;placed in an-open condition. By thigarrange- "merit, heating medium; such as live steamimay continue to be admitted to the several shoes I2 without'danger or" scorching padding and fabric covering customarily used on the stationary shoes I I.

Referring now to the structure oflFigsfV-ll inclusive; whereinrnodified means for"depressing "thetr'ea'dle 22 .a-ndreleasing the same isLillus- "tratd; parts identical to those of Figs. l ftinelusive areidentified' by the same characters. In this connection, however, it will be notedthat the rigid link 45 of'Figs. 1-6 inclusive has" been removdandiarigidlink 45'. substituted therefor. The.1ink"45' isrigidly secured to a bracketiSI,

whlch'is in turn'rigidly: secured to the base" I3 iby "means of: screws or the like 92. For depressing the 'treadle 22, 1 provide fluid pressure-operated ,means by screws or the like 96.

means in the nature of cylinder 93 and 'pis ton 94 mounted for reciprocal movements-therein. The cylinder 93 is verticall axially held in a position overlying the path of travel of the treadle 22 by means of a supporting frame 95.

rigidly secured to the floor or other supporting Apiston rod 91 extends downwardly through one end of the cylinder 93 and is provided at its end with a laterally-projecting foot 93 which is adapted to engage a roller l2 mounted on the outer end of the treadle 22 by means of a bearing bracket I3. The pistonilfl and piston rod 51 are yieldingly biased in a direction away from engagement with the rollers I2 by means of a coil compression spring 99. Fluid under pressure is admitted to one end of the cylinder 93 from a source of fluid pressure not shown, by conduit means I00. A three-way valve IOI is interposed in the conduit means I and is secured to the supporting frame 95 by means of machine screws or the like I02. The valve IOI may be of any particular type but preferably and as shown is provided with a rotary plug I03 which is chambered to allow fluid under pressure to pass therethrough from the source of pressure to the cylinder- 93. The plug I03 may be turned to allow passage of fluid from the cylinder 93 to atmosphere through a port I04 in the valve IOI. The plug I03 extends outwardly through the body of the valve IN and has rigidly secured to the outer end thereof a pair of circumferentially-spaced operating fingers I and I06 that are adapted to engage, upon rotation of the turntable I, valveoperating lugs I01 and I08 respectively. Lugs I01 and I08 are mounted one each on the base I3 in vertica1 and horizontally-spaced relationship. I also provide a manually-controlled shutoff valve I09 in the conduit means between the source of pressure and the three-Way valve I JI and located at a point within easy reach of the operator of the machine.

Movement of the turntable in a direction from the right to the left with respect to Fig. 9 causes the lug I08 to engage the operating finger I06 and move the same to a point where the chamber of the plug I03 will admit fluid under pressure from the source of pressure to the cylinder 93. Pressure within the cylinder 93 will be sufficient to move the piston 9d against bias of the spring I 99 and cause the foot 98 to engage the rollers I2 passing thereunder and depress the treadle 22 to its extreme downward position where it will be locked by the mechanism heretofore described. Continued movement of the turntable from the right to the left with respect to Fig. 9 causes the lug I01 to engage the valve-operating finger I05 and move the same and the plug I03 to a position whereby fluid is allowed to how from the cyl inder 93 to atmosphere through the port I04 under bias of the spring 99 against the piston 90. The operating fingers I05 and I06 are so arranged that when the lug I08 has moved the operating finger I06 to its desired position, the outer end of the finger I00 will be moved upwardly to a point where the lug I08 may pass thereunder. This movement of the finger I55 causes the finger I05 to be moved to a point where it'may be engaged by the lug I0? upon continued movement of the turntable. Similarly, when the lug I0? has moved the finger I05 to a point where fluid is allowed to escape from the cylinder 93 to atmosphere through the valve I 0 I, the outer end of the finger I05 will become depressed to a point where the lug I0I may pass thereover. It will be noted that the structure of Fig. '7 is a modification of the cam means II of Figs. 1 and 2 and is located on the same side of the operators station as the cam means II.

Fluid pressure-operated means for releasing the treadles 22 from their locked depressed position is in the nature of fluid pressure-operated means comprising a cylinder IIO, a piston III mounted for reciprocation therein, and a piston rod II2 connected to said piston III and projecting axially outwardly of the cylinder I I0, and operating connections therebetween and the release pedal 40. The cylinder H0 is pivotally connected as indicated at II3 to a supporting frame II4 which is located adjacent the turntable I and at the opposite side of the operators stations: from the frame 95 and structure carried thereby. A rocker arm H5 isintermediately pivoted, as indicated, at IIIS, to the upper end of the supporting frame I I5 and has its outer end pivotally connected to the upper end of the piston rodI I2 as at I II. At its inner end, the rocker arm H5 is formed to provide bearings which journal a roller II8 that overlies the path of travel of'the release pedal 50. Fluid under pressure froma source not shown is admitted to the cylinder IIO through a conduit H9 and a threeway valve I20, said valve being secured fast to the supporting frame Il l by means of screws or the like I2I. The valve I .is similar to the valve IOI having therein a rotary lug I22 which is chambered to allow fluid under pressure to be admitted to the interior of the cylinder IIO through the conduit H9. The plug I22 is rotatable, whereby to allow fluid to escape from the cylinder IIO through the conduit IIS to atmosphere through a port I23 in the valve I20. The I plug I22 extends outwardly of the valve I20 and terminates in a pair of circumferentially-spaced radially-projecting fingers I24 and I25 which are adapted to be engaged and moved by respective radially-projecting lugs I26 and I2'I on the turntable I.

As a given ironer I0 approaches the operator's station .1, the lug I2! for its respective ironer I0 will engage and move the o crating finger I25 and thereby cause rotation of the plug I22 to permit fluid under pressure to enter the cylinder H0. Resulting movement of the piston II I and piston rod H2 in an upward direction will cause rocking movement of the rocker arm H5 and engagement of the release pedal 40 by the roller IIB. Continued downward movement of the roller IIB will cause the release lever 40 to disengage the locking means from the treadle 22 and allow the same to move upwardly to the dotted line position of Fig. 10, wherein it may be assumed that the movable shoe I2 connected therewith will be moved away from its cooperating relatively fixed shoe I2. As the lug I26 moves from the right to the left with respect to Fig. 11 upon rotary movement of the turntable I, the plug I22 will be rotated to a point where fluid will be allowed to escape from the cylinder IIO piston-9.4 andpiston ,rod 91 will .be rendered in-v I operative to depress the treadles 22, and, under continued rotation of the turntable I, all ,ironers. will be placed in anopen condition and remain so:.until the shut-off valve I39 is again opened. In other words, the-shut-olf valve IIIQserves the same purpose as movement of the eam II out of the. path of travel of the treadles 22 in Figs.

1 and 2..

Coming now to. the modified structure illustrated inFigs. 12-15 inclusive; the turntableisw identified by the numeral I having an annular supporting plate 2, supported by wheels 8 running onan endless circular; track 9.. Aplurality,

of,ironers IIV, oneof which is shown, is carried bythe turntable I and eachcomprises 3,1618:- tively, stationary shoe II and a relatively movableshoe I27. Relatively fixed shoe II is carried on a base I3. The relatively movable shoe I2 isrigidly;securedtoone end-,of-a radially 2c inwardly projecting arm, I 4'. whichjsepivoted; intermediate. its .ends. tolthebase I 32, as I ind-i.- cated.at.v.l5'. Pivotally secured to ,the radiallyy inwardly-extended end of the arm, I43, as .-in-

dicatediatelzs, isanladjustable link-l.I29; The

lower end, ofv the. link, I29. is provided with a roller, notlshown; which; is. adapted 1 to ridenina cam slotI,I30 in..a..vertical bracket I31-secured: to the turntable. I. Also. pivotally. secured toethe.- lower end-011. the -,linl l29 is: the.- outer end-ofae 3O piston .rod. l32pwhich is equipped with apiston.-. not shown but containedwithina fluid pressure?- operated cylinder: I 33: hingedl-y securedas; 1111* dicated-at I.34,-to, the.frame:base-Itt., A second. fluid\prcssureeoperatedcylinder I35 -is pivotally- 35 secured. to the frame I 3 .as: indicated at I36, and. is. provided witha-piston-equipped .rod I 31 which ,has ,pivotaleneaee entvwith the. and I I 4 intermediateits pivottl5 anditsdnnenend, as: indicated. at. I 38. The. movable, shoe, I 25 isebiased; 4 -11 away. from engagementirom therelatively fixed;v shoe. II. by meanspofpa,tensionspring Insane chored, at. one end .to ;the,.turntable I andr-at its other. end, to. theintermediate portion of the:.. link I29- The movable shoe. I 2. may be: heated by: any; suitable. means. such. as... live. steam introduced-.- thereto... from .a, suitable. source. of supply not; shownthrough an inlet pipe MIL 'Ihednletplpe- I40, h as,,a packing glandrconnection, III to theii inletichamber. I42 oi asteam. manifold I43.- Pipes I44 extend. radially outwardly from-.-.the, manifoldjchamber. I 42,.andhave connection with flexible inlet 0 tubes I45 leading to, the. several. movable shoes 7 I2'.. Elexible:exhaustrtubese I46. leadjfrp the movable shoes I2. to radially-pro? jecting pipes .I41' that .are. connectedto vexhaust. chamber, I 48, of .the manifold, I 4.3...v A. suitable drain pipe I49"is connectedfitolthe exhaust cham ber I48"by means ofl'apackine lflnd l5ll.- The:- packing gland. connections. I4.I..- and I 53.. allow rotation of th'esteam manifold. I43while them-- let' pipe I 40;" and?v drainpipe- I 49. remain,- in.a; stationary condition..:.v

Fluidunderpressure is supplied tothe several. ironers for moving the relatively.movable-shoes. I2 from a. source oifluidzsupply not, shown. through a= pipe; I5.I. which. extends; upwardly.- through the. packing gland I 50 andthe manifold 1 exhaustphamber; I48 7 by means .of; suitableeroe wry o nt nrl l p, connections I52.-. The pipe I54.- extends. radially; outwardly: of the ,steam mam: fold." I43. and branches .ofi .to the: several ironers. on. the turntable..I,- asindicated =at. I 53. Oneof .1:

the: ranches. I 5.4: extender-fr m. the connection.- 751:

I52. to areversing valve I55. Fromlthence, conduit means. I55 .and I51 leadto respective cyl-r The. valve I 55. has a port inders I33: and I35. open to atmosphere through. a shortconduit- I58 and a muiller I59. is operated by a fluid pressure-operated reversing motor comprisingaxially-aligned fluid pressure cylinders I60 and I6I provided with pistons notshown and having acommon piston rod I62. A

collar; I53-fast one-thepiston rod I62. has-pinand-slot 1 connection I (i l with an .arm I 65 which is connected to and projects radiallyoutwardly from a-plug IISB-rotativelymounted in the valve I5.5.- The plug I55ris chambered to, allow fluid underpressure toenter the cylinders I33 and I35 in one: position thereofand in another position thereof: to allow air. to escape; from the cylinder I33and- I35 to. atmosphere through the; conduit. Fluid underpressure is.

I58 .andamufiler I59; supplied to. the cylinders I 60 -an d; I6I from the conduit means I54 by means'ofbranch conduit I61 which leads to a pair of pilot valves I68 and I69. Pipes I10 and I1Ilead from the pilot'valve H58v to the-cylinder I60 and from thepilot valve I69 to the cylinder I6I respectively; The pilot valves; I68 and I69-are of the well-known type havingopposed valve seats. and 'valveelements:

rotate-the plug I65 of the valve I55to a position. to allow fluid to escapefrom -the cylinders I33 and, I35. to atmosphere through the mufiler I59.

Simultaneous movement of the pistonsgcarried by the-cylinders I6Iland I6I from the left to the rightwith respect-to Fig. 16,- causes fluidcone tained within the cylinder I6I the; exhaust passage I14 in'the.pilot va1ve-;I69.

Similarly, movement of thestem I12 of :the valve I 69- against bias of the springI13 will allow fluid under pressure to flow through the conduit I61, valve I69, and, passages .I1I into the cylinder I6-I;

whereby to :move the piston-equipped rodl 62 and; collar I 53 from the right to theleft-jwith respect to Fig-. 16, thereby causingrotation of the .plug I66 to allow passage offluid .underpressureto the cylinders I33 and I35. Consequent outward movement of the piston-rods-I321andi I31-will.

move the arm I4 and shoe I2,- toward locking; engagement with the relativelvfixed shoeI I It. will be seen, by reference to Fig. 12,. that initial movement of the. shoe I2 is caused: byqoutward movement of the .pistonrod. I31 andv that final pressing actionisaffected by outward'movement.

of the piston rod I32 during the:final movement of .theshoe I2 towardthe shoes II. This final locking pressure between the shoes I If and I2! is;

stems I12;are moved by button-equippedpush:

rods I15, one of-which is shown; pivotally cone.

nected; to the-outer ends of bell cranks: I161 that;

are pivoted tothe-base I3, ems-indicated at I11.

The reversingvalve I55 to be passed? through the conduit I1I to atmospherethrough For operating the pilot valve I89, I provide an elongated segmental cam track I18 located adjacent the track 9 beneath the turntable I and which may be assumed to be positioned similar to the cam 11 with respect to the operators station :0. A cam follower, indicated in its entirety by the numeral I19, is illustrated in Figs. 12 and 14 and comprises a lever arm I80 pivotally secured intermediate its ends to the turntable I as indicated at I8I, and a roller I82 journalled at one end thereof. A rigid link I83, pivotally secured to the opposite end of the lever I80, extends upwardly through an opening in the annular plate 2, and terminates in a pivotal connection I84 with one arm of a bell crank I85, which is pivotally mounted to the base I3 by means of a bracket I89. A push rod I81 has its lower end pivoted to the other arm of the bell crank I85, as indicated at I88, and has its upper end pivotally secured to the pivotal connection I89 between the bell crank I19 and the push rod I15.

During the greater part of rotation of the turntable I, the roller I82 is suspend-ed above the floor or ground, as indicated in Fig. 13. A bell crank I99 has its intermediate portion pivoted to the lever I80 intermediate the roller I82 and the pivot I8I, as indicated at I91. One arm of the bell crank I99 extends in a generally horizontal direction and has journalled to the outer end thereof a roller I92 which normally lies in the same horizontal plane as the roller I82. As shown in Fig. 13, the other arm of the bell crank I90 extends generally upwardly and, at its end, is notched to engage a stop lug I93 secured to the turntable I. The cam track I18 lies in the path of travel of the rollers I92 and I92 and with the turntable rotating in the proper direction as indicated by arrows in Figs. 13 and 14, the cam track will first engage and raise the roller I92 I and, while the same is still carried thereby in a raised position, will engage and raise the roller I82. Raising of the roller I92 causes movement of the notched arm of the bell crank I98 away from the stop lug I93, whereby to allow raising of the roller I32 by the cam track I13. As indicated in Figs. 13 and 14, the roller I82 cannot be elevated unless the roller I92 is in an elevated position, because of the engagement of the notched portion of the bell crank with the stop lug I93 when the roller I92 is in its lower position. Hence, if any foreign material, such as a block of wood or the like, happens to be inadvertently thrown under the turntable in the path of travel of the rollers I92 and I82, the

roller I92 may be elevated thereby and thereafter dropped to its lower position before the roller I82 is engaged by said foreign material. Thus, when the roller I92 comes into contact with the foreign material, the lever I89 is held against upward movement and the foreign material will be pushed out of the way by the roller I82, or the resistance set up by the foreign material may be sufficient to stop rotation of the turntable I. In any event, with this arrangement, the mechanism cannot be operated to lower the shoe I2 into pressing engagement with the shoe II, unless both of the rollers I82 and I92 are in their elevated positions as when on the cam track I18.

The cam track I18 is movable in a direction radially of the turntable I into and out of the path of travel of the cam follower I19 in a pair of spaced guides I94 which are suitably secured to the floor. The cam track. has a radially-extending leg I95 to the end of which is pivotally secured one end of a lever I96, which is centrally pivoted to the floor, as indicated at I91. The other opposite end of the lever I99 is pivotally secured to one end of a shifter handle- I93 which extends radially outwardly beyond the turntable I where it may be grasped by the operator. Suitable means, such as a pin I99, may be inserted into either one of a pair of apertures 290 in the floor radially outwardly of the turntable I. By reference to Fig. 15, it will be noted that but one of the apertures 208 is shown, the other being assumed to underlie the pin I99. The full lines in Fig. illustrate the cam track in position to engage the cam follower I19, Whereas the dotted lines indicate the position assumed by the cam track when it is moved to its inoperative position radially inwardly of the path of travel of the cam follower I19.

A cam follower, identical in all respects to the cam follower I19, is indicated in its entirety by the numeral I and comprises a roller-equipped lever 202 and a roller-equipped bell crank 203. With reference to Fig. 12, it will be seen that the cam follower 20I is radially oifset from the cam follower I19 and is adapted to engage a stationary cam track not shown but lying in the path thereof and on the opposite side of the operators station from the cam track I18. A rigid link 284, similar to link I83, extends upwardly from one end of the lever 202 and has its upper end pivotally secured to one end of a bell crank 205, which is pivotally mounted on a bracket 206 mounted fast on the base I3. The other arm of the bell crank 205 has pivotal connection with a push rod 281 which, at its upper end, is secured to the bell crank not shown but which is adapted to work against the valve stem I12 of the pilot valve I68. It will, of course, be understood that each ironer I0 is equipped with cam followers I19 and 28I and, as each particular ironer I0 leaves the operators station with a garment placed upon the shoe II, the cam follower I 19 rides over the cam track I18. Upward movement of the roller-equipped end of lever I80 results in a downward movement of the rigid link I83 and associated push rod I81, whereby to open the pilot valve I69 and ad-- mit fluid under pressure through the conduits I61 and HI to the cylinder I3I. Air under pressure entering the cylinder IIiI moves the piston equipped rod I82 from the right to the left with respect to Fig. 16 to position the valve plug I66, as therein shown. Thus, fluid under pressure is admitted through the conduits I59 and I51 to the cylinders I33 and I respectively, whereby to move the relatively movable shoe I2 into pressing engagement with the relatively fixed shoe II against bias of the spring I39. Upon continued rotation of the turntable I as each ironer I0 approaches the operators station, the cam.

. equipped lever 202 results in downward movement of the rigid link 204 and push rod 201 and consequent opening of the pilot valve I38. When the pilot valve I68 is opened against bias of the spring I13 thereof, fluid under pressure is admitted through conduits I61 and I10 to the cylinder I80 causing movement of the pistonequipped piston rod I62 from the left to the right with respect to Fig. 16, thus turning the plug I66 of the valve I to a position to allow fluid to escape from the cylinders I33 and I35 toabsence:

atmosphere throughthe muffier I59. Yielding arm I4 in a direction to move the shoe I2 away fromengagement with the shoe II and causes the piston rods I32, and, I31. to move in the direction of their respective cylinders I33 and I .35; thereby forcingthe;fluidltherefrorm to atmosphere. The ironer I issthenr inea p. 1? tion to haveetheeironedigarment removed therefrom and an unironed garment applied thereto.

When it is desired to shut down the machine of'Figs. 12 to lfi-inclusive, thecam track I18 is manually moved out of the path of travel of the cam follower I19 by manipulation of the shifter handle I98 from the full line position of Fig. 15 to the dotted line position thereof. Upon continued rotation of the turntable I, each ironer I 0' will be opened as its respective cam follower 2llI is engaged by the cam track lying in the path thereof, but no subsequent closing action is imparted to the movable shoe I2. The turntable I is made to rotate until all of the ironers I0 have been opened. When this is done, rotation of the turntable may be stopped and there will be no danger of the padding or fabric covering of the stationary shoe I I being scorched by the heated shoe I2 as would be the case if the shoes I I and [2' were in pressing contact for any pr0- tracted length of time.

It is understood that the ironers herein disclosed are in themselves old in the art. I have found that by mounting these ironers on a turntable as shown and automatically controlling the movements of the movable shoes with respect to the relatively fixed shoes thereof, I have been able to effect a great savings in time and labor in the ironing of various garments on a production scale.

Although the foregoing description is necessarily of detailed character, in order that the invention may be completely set forth, it is to be understood that the specific terminology is not intended to be restrictive or confining and that various rearrangement of parts and modifications of detail may be resorted to without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as herein claimed.

What I claim is:

1. In a device of the class described, an endless track, a garment ironer movably mounted on said track, said garment ironer comprising relatively fixed and movable shoes, linkage operatively associated with said ironer for moving said movable shoe toward and away from said relatively fixed shoe, each of said linkages including an operating treadle which projects radially outwardly from said ironer, cam means adjacent said track and in the path of travel of said treadle upon movement of said ironer about said track for imparting movements to said treadle and linkage to move said movable shoe toward said relatively fixed shoe, means locking said treadle in set position when said shoes are moved to pressing engagement, mechanism for unlocking said treadle and said shoes including a release lever, a second cam means comprisinga relatively fixed cam element on said ironer for movement therewith about said track, a relatively movable cam element mounted for pivotal movements in a supporting frame in the path of travel of said relatively fixed element, a trip finger pivoted to said frame and movable toward and from operative engagement with said release lever, and motion transfer means between said movable cam element and said trip finger for moving said trip finger: when said movable cam element is'engaged:

bysaid relatively fixed camelement;

2: In a device'of theclass described, an endless circular track, a plurality of circumferentiallyspaced garment ironers-movably mounted on saidtrack, each of said ironers comprising a relatively fiXedand'relatively movable pressing shoe, linkage operatively associated with each of said ironersfor moving saidrelatively movable shoes toward' and from said relatively fixed shoes, an operators station adjacent said-track for application ofgarment's to said ironers and removal of garments; therefrom, means adjacent saidtrack and one side of said operators station and in the path of travel of said ironers upon movement of said ironers upon said track for successively imparting movements to said linkages to move said relatively movable shoes away from said relatively fixed shoes, means adjacent said track and the opposite side of said operators station and in the path of travel of said ironers upon movement of said ironers upon said track for successively imparting movements to said linkages to move said relatively movable shoes toward said relatively fixed shoes, and means for rendering said last-mentioned means inoperative during the travel of said ironers about said track, each of said linkages terminating in a cam-operated element projecting radially outwardly from said track, said first-mentioned means including a cam element in the path of travel of said camoperated elements, said cam element being laterally shiftable out of the path of travel of said cam-operated elements.

3. In a device of the class described, an endless track, a plurality of circumferentially-spaced garment ironers movably mounted on said track, means for simultaneously imparting to said ironers continuous and uninterrupted movement about said track, each of said ironers comprising relatively fixed and movable pressing shoes, linkage operatively associated with each of said ironers for moving said relatively movable shoes toward and from said relatively fixed shoes, an operators station adjacent said track for application of garments to said ironers and removal of garments therefrom, means adjacent said track and. in advance of the operators station and in the path of travel of said ironers upon movement of said ironers upon said track for successively imparting movements to said linkages to move said relatively movable shoes away from said relatively fixed shoes, means adjacent said track and to the rear of said operators station and in the path of travel of said ironers upon movement of said ironers upon said track for successively imparting movements to said linkages to move said relatively movable shoes toward said relatively fixed shoes, said last-mentioned means being manually movable out of the path of travel of said linkages whereby to render said linkages inoperative.

4. In a device of the class described, an endless track, a garment ironer movably mounted on said track, said garment ironer comprising relatively fixed and movable shoes, linkage operatively associated with said ironer for moving said movable shoe toward and away from said relatively fixed shoe and comprising a cam-operated member, cam means adjacent said track and in the path of travel of said cam-operated member upon movement of said. ironer about said track for imparting movements to said member and linkage to move said movable shoe toward said relatively fixed shoe, means locking said cam-operated member in said position when said shoes are moved to pressing engagement, mechanism for unlocking said member and said shoes including a release lever, a second cam means comprising a relatively fixed cam element on said ironer for movement therewith about said track, a relatively movable cam element mounted for pivotal movements in a supporting frame in the path of travel of said relatively fixed element, a trip finger pivoted to said frame and movable toward and from operative engagement with said release lever, and motion transfer means between said movable cam element and said trip finger for moving saidtrip finger when said movable cam element is engaged by said relatively fixed cam element.

JOHN H. LEEF.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

